North Devon gardens you must visit

They come in all shapes and styles, each offering something different, but each with the familiar feeling that you’re visiting a North Devon garden that is cared for and well loved.

From a couple of hours strolling around a flower garden, to a whole day walking through woodland, fill your time in North Devon with a visit to as many of these gardens as possible.

RHS Gardens Rosemoor

Rosemoor Gardens consists of 65-acres of beautifully planted gardens, set within a pretty wooded valley near Torrington in North Devon.

The specially designed gardens and natural landscapes combine to offer a special view around every corner and are home to plants from around the world. Highlights include a woodland garden, fruit and veg, a beautiful cottage and an original stone garden dating back to 1931. Plus there's the award-winning restaurant alongside other dining options and a fantastic shop for unique gifts.

They have many events taking place throughout the year, and children's activities keep little green-fingers amused.

Looking to escape the world and enjoy nature? Then Rosemoor is the place to visit.

Arlington Court

Arlington Court, its surrounding gardens and old carriage museum, is a place steeped in history.

The grand house and carriage museum is fascinating, giving visitors an insight into the past.

Garden lovers will want to visit for the National Trust parkland that surrounds the house. From traditional fruit and veg gardens to beautiful flower beds, it’s easy to lose yourself with a casual wonder.

Follow your feet to experience the best garden of all - the North Devon countryside. Go on a mini-hike along natural walks that take in ponds, woods and open fields possibly full of deer!

Hartland Abbey

Hartland Abbey has beautiful gardens and grounds alongside the historic house - the cherished home of the Stucley family with treasures and memorabilia collected over many generations.

Their gardens date back to 1157-1539 and include a ‘Ladies Walk’ through woodland to the 18th century Walled Gardens. Here vegetables and fruit are grown and rare plants are found beside summer perennials and shrubs. The Abbey welcomes visitors from the end of March until October.

From the house, it’s just a mile's walk to the Atlantic Coast, through a wild and rugged route. For something less active, relax in the tea rooms.

Castle Hill

The gardens at Castle Hill sit in the beautiful Devon countryside just outside Barnstaple.

These beautiful gardens are found in 50 acres of historic parkland set against an 18th Century Palladian Mansion House - home of the Fortescue family since 1454. Sadly the house is not open to the general public but the gardens are available all year round.

Try starting with a walk through the Millennium Garden with its striking water feature, to reach the walled garden.

Gaze to the distant Triumphal Arch and magnificent Holwell Temple and wander through the woodland gardens, stroll down to the river and take a climb up to the Castle for panoramic views to Exmoor, Dartmoor and beyond.

Marwood Gardens

Based around two lakes connected by a stream, the gardens drop down one side of a valley and up the other, making for a stroll that feels truly shut off from the outside world.

There are many spots to rest, relax, enjoy the views and look at the plants. The impressive collection of plants, shrubs and trees match the views and peaceful atmosphere.

Marwood has appeared on numerous TV shows and is well known for having a wonderful tea-room.

Tapely Park

Tapeley Park is a grand house estate near Instow and Bideford, sitting on a hill overlooking the River Torridge and the North Devon coastline.

The grounds are renowned for having beautiful gardens - particularly the Italian terrace - and includes a lake, ponds, old woodland and a number of fields where Highland Cattle graze.

As well as an organic vegetable garden, Tapeley Park has one of the oldest permaculture gardens in the UK.

The house at the top of the hill is stunning to look at but is not open to the public, private tours need to be arranged in advance. Visitors are free to explore the grounds and you can bring your own picnic, or pop into the tea rooms for cream teas, drinks and snacks.

Docton Mill and Gardens

Image credit; Mark Coleman, Flickr

Docton Mill is found right on the western side of North Devon, bordering Cornwall, in the middle of the rolling and remote Hartland countryside. It welcomes visitors from the end of March until October with seasonal garden displays and award-winning cream teas.

The tea room was once voted the best in North Devon at the North Devon Food and Drink Awards, with the best Cream Tea too. It has also won gold at the Devon County Show.

Sadly, the old mill attached to the property no longer works but there is a lot of history to be found, with traces of a property going back to the Norman times.

Then, in the compact gardens, tucked away in the valley, there is a river walk with displays of naturalised narcissi, bluebells and wild garlic, a bog garden, an extensive herbaceous border that's over 140 meters long, plus wildflower gardens.

Clovelly Court Gardens

Image credit; Steve Bittinger, Flickr

Just outside the historical village on the North Devon coast, you'll find Clovelly Court Gardens. Include in the entry price of visiting Clovelly village, a wander through the gardens is a must when visiting.

Away from the cobbled, hillside roads of the village, this garden is a secluded and often overlooked area that surrounds a grand house. The old walled garden has a variety of mini sections that offer something all year round.

The neat, carefully tended garden beds are bordered by herbaceous beds, and there are the beautifully restored Victorian glasshouses too. Expect to find apples, pears, quinces, medlars, soft fruit, and two mulberry trees at the right time of year.

Whilst there, you can buy bedding plants, herbs, freshly dug vegetables, cut flowers and harvested fruit. The gardens are open all year round and are free to enter as part of the Clovelly Village entrance fee - perfect for a great day out.

Fancy a Garden Break?

Have we teased you into a grand North Devon Seasonal Break to see all these gardens throughout the year?

With stays starting from £49 per person per night which includes room, breakfast, free facilities and more, there’s never been a better time to book your stay with us than right now.